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S21 Notice Error - How to say sorry
N79
Posts: 2,615 Forumite
Don't worry I havn't got the dates wrong, nor am asking for advice on how to evict Ts. I would welcome comments from Ts about what they would like if they were in this situation. Sorry for the long post.
In summary, I have issued a S21 notice to the wrong Ts, it took me nearly 3 weeks to realise, obviously causing the Ts much heartache as they though they were going to have to move. Having never done this before I thought I would ask what people consider to be a suitable gesture by myself to say sorry to the Ts involved.
In detail, one of my sets of Ts (Tenant1) has stopped paying the rent following losing their job. I intended to issue a S21 notice with a S8G8 notice in due course. However, due to an administrative "issue" I issued the S21 notice to different Ts (Tenant2) by mistake. Tenant2 are a family with 2 primary age children, have been my Ts for a while and have been model tenants. Property is looking good and there have been no callouts for "very minor" repairs. For three weeks Tenant2 thought that was going to evict them and so they were trying to find a new property within the catchment area of the same school. The mistake was uncovered when they tried to apply for another property of mine, at which point I became aware of the mistake (you can imagine the conversation from which I emerged looking like a complete idiot). S21 notice was withdrawn (in writing so they do not have a sword of damocles over their heads as this is not fair) and they were very relieved. Obviously I have apologised.
So my question really is what would be a suitable gesture to say I'm sorry. I have been thinking along the lines of a bunch of flowers and a hamper of food / wine by way of an apology for the 3 weeks of upset but I thought I would check if people consider this appropriate or will it be perceived as weird by the Ts? All thoughts welcome.
In summary, I have issued a S21 notice to the wrong Ts, it took me nearly 3 weeks to realise, obviously causing the Ts much heartache as they though they were going to have to move. Having never done this before I thought I would ask what people consider to be a suitable gesture by myself to say sorry to the Ts involved.
In detail, one of my sets of Ts (Tenant1) has stopped paying the rent following losing their job. I intended to issue a S21 notice with a S8G8 notice in due course. However, due to an administrative "issue" I issued the S21 notice to different Ts (Tenant2) by mistake. Tenant2 are a family with 2 primary age children, have been my Ts for a while and have been model tenants. Property is looking good and there have been no callouts for "very minor" repairs. For three weeks Tenant2 thought that was going to evict them and so they were trying to find a new property within the catchment area of the same school. The mistake was uncovered when they tried to apply for another property of mine, at which point I became aware of the mistake (you can imagine the conversation from which I emerged looking like a complete idiot). S21 notice was withdrawn (in writing so they do not have a sword of damocles over their heads as this is not fair) and they were very relieved. Obviously I have apologised.
So my question really is what would be a suitable gesture to say I'm sorry. I have been thinking along the lines of a bunch of flowers and a hamper of food / wine by way of an apology for the 3 weeks of upset but I thought I would check if people consider this appropriate or will it be perceived as weird by the Ts? All thoughts welcome.
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Comments
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I personally think that would be a nice gesture, along with another handwritten note of apology and a re-iteration that they are NOT under notice.(AKA HRH_MUngo)
Member #10 of £2 savers club
Imagine someone holding forth on biology whose only knowledge of the subject is the Book of British Birds, and you have a rough idea of what it feels like to read Richard Dawkins on theology: Terry Eagleton0 -
I also agree that it is a nice gesture and the tenants won't think it is wierd. Yes do put in a note to say sorry for all the hassle I put you through, please accept this as a token of my apologies.
They'll probably come out of it thinking better of you than they did even before the whole saga!0 -
Yes def go for it.
Much better than just words.
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Give them a month rent free so they can have a lovely christmas:D
Just kidding, the hamper sounds lovely and that will give them a lovely christmas0 -
Very big oops you made there! Your tenants sound like decent people who probably accept that everyone makes mistakes. Although, if they'd contacted you when they received the notice they might have saved a couple of weeks of worry.
Why not tell them you value them as tenants and give them a week free of rent?Opinion, advice and information are different things. Don't be surprised if you receive all 3 in response.
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I'd go for the flowers and a bottle of wine. They will remember and appreciate the kind gesture when they see the flowers and drink the wine.
Personally I wouldn't mess around with the rent, it could cause more misunderstandings/confusion. It may also cause them inconvenience if they pay by SO. Also it makes you look guilty, somehow, whereas a gift is just a nice gesture.I'm a retired employment solicitor. Hopefully some of my comments might be useful, but they are only my opinion and not intended as legal advice.0 -
I'd go with a big bunch of flowers, a food hamper, something for the kids, and a letter of apology saying that they are infact perfect tenants, and the S21 was supposed to be issued to another tenant who hasn't paid rent for a long time, and you're very sorry for all the worry you caused, and hope that the gifts will make up for the error.
I'm sure the tenants will consider you a great landlord if you do that!Should've = Should HAVE (not 'of')
Would've = Would HAVE (not 'of')
No, I am not perfect, but yes I do judge people on their use of basic English language. If you didn't know the above, then learn it! (If English is your second language, then you are forgiven!)0 -
I like the rent rebate option - a significant refund which demonstrates you are prepared to take a financial hit for the distress you inadvertantly caused.0
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Flowers and a hamper are great if the tenants like such things. I'm generally a bit disappointed (rather than ungrateful!) by gifts I don't like, won't use etc..
And it's easy enough to return a week's rent without messing with SOs - a few extra quid in the run up to Christmas would definitely persuade me my LL isn't a complete twerp!Opinion, advice and information are different things. Don't be surprised if you receive all 3 in response.0 -
I go with blckbrd on this, particularly over the fact that the hamper may not be stuff they actually want or like etc.
I also think that it should be substantial rather than a token.Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam0
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